Development Manager | Housing Action Illinois

Details

Job Title: Development Manager

Responsible to: Director of Communications & Development

Start Date: August 2026

 
Organization Description:

Housing Action Illinois is a statewide coalition of 200+ organizations dedicated to protecting and expanding the availability of quality, affordable, accessible homes throughout Illinois. The majority of our member organizations are nonprofit direct-service providers who provide shelter, affordable housing, or housing counseling to low-income individuals and families.

In all of our work, we focus on the needs of people with the lowest incomes and others impacted by systemic inequities. Through our Policy Advocacy Program, we mobilize our members and allies to advocate for policies that help end homelessness, create affordable rental housing, and promote sustainable homeownership. Our complementary Public Education & Organizing Program builds awareness and activates change by sharing updates and real-life stories with policymakers, nonprofit service providers, and the media. Meanwhile, through our Capacity Building Program, we provide training, one-on-one guidance, and resources to housing counseling agencies so that they can serve more families and help our communities thrive. Our work extends to managing a statewide AmeriCorps VISTA network that connects member agencies with service members to deepen their impact.

 Job Summary:

The Development Manager position is an opportunity for a strategic, mission-driven fundraiser passionate about housing justice. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to establish funder relationships. We seek someone to lead our grant writing, prospecting, and impact tracking, while also growing our individual giving and overseeing our annual benefit. The Development Manager will have the opportunity to shape strategy, not just execute it.

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising

Strategic Planning/Vision

• Work closely with the Director of Communications & Development and Executive Director to create and develop the annual development plan and implement fundraising strategies, optimizing giving from corporations, foundations, and individuals while also supporting government funding. Identify opportunities for diversifying our revenue.
• Lead Board in fundraising planning and engage Board members in participating in our initiatives. Present at Board meetings.

Stewarding Foundation and Corporate Grants

• Lead strong relationship building strategies with key funder contacts.
• Prepare persuasive, well-written grant proposals and reports for foundation and corporate partners.
• Collaborate across teams to meet grantmaking goals, establishing project workplans for timely completion of grant proposals, reports, and funder meetings.
• Update and maintain processes and records for grantmaking; ensure we have ongoing touch points.

Prospecting

• Research new funding opportunities and create strategies to build on existing funding.
• Guide other staff in researching and building new relationships and applying to new opportunities.

Individual Giving

• Maintain records in the giving database and create processes to document individual giving.
• Improve individual giving appeals, typically at the end of the year and in spring; oversee donor acknowledgment process. Explore potential for new individual donor initiatives.
• Collaborate with accounting to ensure accurate tracking and reconciliation of donations, grant payments, and other transactions.

Special Events

• Plan and execute our annual benefit.
• Support the sponsorship and fundraising, communications, and logistical aspects of the annual Housing Matters conference.

Communications

• Assist in planning and executing communications strategies to support resource development efforts, including creation of an annual report, quarterly impact updates for members and funders, and other materials.

Other

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate in this role will thrive in a small office environment, be energized by coalition work, and is ready to take ownership of a growing development program.

• Nonprofit fundraising experience: 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with demonstrated success in establishing and maintaining relationships with foundation and/or corporate funders. Bachelor’s Degree preferred; relevant experience may be substituted.
• Strategic thinking: Proven ability to develop proactive fundraising plans, identify new funding sources, and adapt tactics to a shifting landscape, particularly for a coalition or advocacy organization.
• Strong grant writing and funder stewardship: Track record of producing compelling proposals and reports, managing grant calendars, and maintaining consistent funder communication.
• Individual giving and events: Experience managing donor databases, planning or supporting fundraising events, and executing giving appeals.
• Data fluency: Advanced proficiency in Google Suite and Excel, and experience working within databases. Ability to identify impact data and make a persuasive case for systems change, even without direct service metrics.
• Organization and follow-through: Exceptional time management, attention to detail, and ability to coordinate across teams, balance competing priorities, and meet deadlines consistently.
• Communication and relationship building: Strong written and verbal skills; professional and personable across various settings. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities and build trust with funders, board members, and colleagues.
• Other: Ability to travel throughout Illinois; must have a valid driver’s license.

Salary & Benefits

Housing Action Illinois offers a competitive salary ($65,000-$70,000) and benefits package. Additional relevant qualifications, such as significant established funder relationships, could warrant a higher starting salary. Benefits currently include 100% of health, dental, and short-term disability insurance premiums for employee paid by Housing Action, 12 vacation days the first year of employment (increases to 18 days thereafter), 5 personal days, 11 holidays, and 12 health leave days. We also offer a flexible hybrid work arrangement, with minimal (1-3 days) in-office presence required. 

Housing Action Illinois is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer in Illinois. We believe that personnel diversity is an organizational strength and recognize and value the intersectional identities that staff members bring to our organization.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to employment@housingactionil.org with “Development Manager” in the subject line. The deadline to apply is July 5, 2026, although Housing Action Illinois will be reviewing resumes on a rolling basis. No phone calls, please.